At the insistence of the McCain campaign, the Oct. 2 debate between the Republican nominee for vice president, Gov. Sarah Palin, and her Democratic rival, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., will have shorter question-and-answer segments than those for the presidential nominees, the advisers said. There will also be much less opportunity for free-wheeling, direct exchanges between the running mates.

McCain advisers said they had been concerned that a loose format could leave Ms. Palin, a relatively inexperienced debater, at a disadvantage and largely on the defensive.

What's she going to do when she's face to face with someone like Vladimir Putin--demand Karl Rove step in to moderate?

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This is so ridiculous. I think Obama/Biden should have refused to the rule changes.

She is going to be vice president, not president. McCain will live to the end of his term.

You folks are too quick to kill off Republicans.

So you want to have a VP who does nothing but hold up the walls in her office, eh? Sorry, I'd like someone who actually does some work.

I sincerely hope you are correct. However, the most important decision of the candidate is to assume the possibility that he/she will not live to the end of his/her term and put in place someone who can be President at any instant.

McSame failed in his first and most important decision.

The purpose of a VP is to step in in case he doesn't.

If she's unable to be President, she's unable to be VP.

The VP isn't paid to do anything. (S)he's paid to be capable of doing things.

Making sure you have an advantage or at least don't have a disadvantage is a good decision.

On the job training. Both her and McCain will be learning the secrets of the office at the same time. She will be ready if needed. She would inherit his advisors.

Biden, your vp choice, is obviously more ready to be president than Obama, your candidate.

McCain is more ready than his vice presidential choice.

Which party made the most screwed up choices???

Hmmm. And you are worried about our vp slot!

The Republicans, obviously.

The Democratic Party picked a person for the top spot that has shown excellent judgement and values during his career and will be able to lead our nation back to the excellence and prestige it had prior to Dubya throwing it away, and who demonstrated outstanding judgement in his first and most important decision: his pick of the person to take his place should it be necessary.

The Republicans picked a person that has changed every position he once held in order to appease the extreme right wing of his party, has demonstrated remarkably flawed judgement in much of his career and especially during this campaign, shown abominable values, and failed drastically in his first and most important decision: his pick of the person to take his place should it be necessary.

The only thing Obama brings to the table is that he is not one of the good old boys and, when he promises change, there is a slight chance that he will change things.